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Residents React: A Troy Principal Arrested On DUI Charge

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By Jessica Gertler

Story Created: Feb 8, 2012 at 7:14 PM CDT

Story Updated: Feb 8, 2012 at 7:35 PM CDT

From the CBS 8 Troy Newsroom -- An elementary school principal has been put on suspension after being arrested on a DUI charge last weekend.

Troy Elementary School Principal Juan Henderson will be suspended with pay pending the investigation of his DUI arrest. We asked community members what they thought about the situation, and the ones we spoke with have mixed feelings.

According to the arrest report, Henderson was arrested in Troy on Saturday night for driving under the influence of alcohol and reckless driving.

"I was shocked! I kept asking, 'Where? Where? Where? Where is this man at?'" says Troy resident Peggy Harris.

Harris says coming from a family full of educators, Henderson should receive a firm punishment.

"He gives the children rules and regulations, and here he is on road and gets a DUI," she says.

But Brandol Jordan says this behavior isn't like his former principal, and feels Henderson should walk away with a slap on the wrist.

"He made one mistake," he says. "We shouldn't try to jeopardize his job and try to down him or anything."

For now, Henderson has been suspended with pay and the two vice principals at Troy Elementary will take over. But Troy City Schools Superintendent Lee Hicks says that may change pending the investigation.

"We will look at Mr. Henderson's record and his previous record as administrator and make a decision at that time if any further disciplinary actions need to be made," he says.

A decision, some are against.

"Not everybody is perfect, and everybody makes mistakes," says Jordan.

And others are backing.

"I think that his license should be taken away," says resident Alma Lee Hampton.

"What if he had taken a child's life while he was driving behind the wheel, and he was intoxicated," says Harris.

We spoke with Henderson today, and he didn't want to go on camera, but says he regrets his behavior and is truly sorry.

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